# NTSB LAX90LA274: Cessna 340A, N38AW, Stockton, CA, August 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1990, 12:16 local (19:16 UTC)
- Place: Stockton, CA
- Coordinates: 37.900272, -121.400634 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9003&lon=-121.4006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26881
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA274
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26881/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA274

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO PROPERLY POSITION THE FUEL SELECTOR PRIOR TO FLIGHT, AND THE FAILURE OF THE CHECK PILOT TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE CONDUCT OF THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - improper, check pilot (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - soft
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE OWNER/PILOT OF A CESSNA 340A STATED THAT NEITHER HE NOR HIS INSTRUCTOR REPOSITIONED THE FUEL SELECTOR PRIOR TO FLIGHT AFTER A GROUND DEMONSTRATION OF THE FUEL CROSS-FEED SYSTEM, EVEN THOUGH A CHECK LIST HAD BEEN USED. DURING THE FLIGHT, BOTH ENGINES FAILED AND THE AIRCRAFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY WHILE ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING AT THE STOCKTON AIRPORT. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE RIGHT TANK WAS FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N38AW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A0747
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-NB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Shieman, Bryan M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Airport: SCK, Stockton, runway 11, 8,650 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,300 total, 6 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ATCT, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900805030139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900805030139A), Aug 5, 1990: Cessna 340A, Stockton, CA, Substantial damage. Check flight. Failed to note crossfeed on. Ran tank dry both engines quit.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.